Umbilical connector lock mechanism



Aug. 8, 1967 H. J. PROW, JR

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UMBILICAL CONNECTOR LOCK MECHANISM Filed Feb 5, 1964 Aug. 8, 1967 H. J. PROW, JR 3,335,391

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BY W

UMBILICAL CONNECTOR LOCK MECHANISM Harold J. Prow, Jr., Scottsdale, Ariz., assignor, by mesne assignments, to International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Maryland Filed Feb. 3, 1964, Ser. No. 341,857 18 Claims. (Cl. 33945) This invention relates to electrical connectors, and more particularly to quick disconnect umbilical type electrical connectors that include a plug member which is releasably locked in mating engagement with a receptacle member to complete one or more electrical circuits.

While umbilical type electrical connectors are employed for various purposes, one principal use is to provide electrical communication with a guided missile prior to launching, the umbilical connector separating upon launching of the missile. It is a requirement of such umbilical connectors that they have releasable locking structure which positively locks the plug and receptacle connector members together and is virtually immune to accidental release induced by vibration or shock, yet which is quickly and positively released upon the application of a release impulse, such as an electrical impulse.

One type of releasable locking structure which has been found useful for umbilical connectors is referred to as a tang-lock, comprising a .tang member having an annular array of spring fingers or tangs on one connector member, and a lock ring or catch in the other member, the tang fingers entering the catch and being locked therein by a shaft or other suitable member which is axially movable Within the tang and between the tang fingers.

Howeve-r, most prior art tang-lock devices of this general type have had several serious disadvantages.

One problem has been the likelihood of accidental premature release of the tank-lock caused by vibration or shock. Another problem has been to obtain sure and positive release upon the application of a release impulse. It is frequently desirable to employ a solenoid-actuated release mechanism for triggering release of the tang-lock. However, the locking forces on the tang-lock are usually so high that the solenoid is not alone suflicient to insure positive release.

In view of these and other problems in the art it is an object of the present invention to provide an umbilical connector lock-release mechanism embodying a primary tang-lock and a pilot release mechanism associated with the primary tang lock for storing energy which, when released, drives the primary tang-lock structure from its locked to its released position.

Another object of the invention is to provide an umbilical connector lock-release mechanism embodying a primary tang-lock structure and an associated pilot release mechanism adapted to contain stored spring energy for positively driving the primary tang-lock from its locked to its released position, whereinwhen the pilot release mechanism is cocked its moving parts become locked together to form a single unit in which the energy required to unlock the primary tang-lock is securely contained until released by energiz-ation of an associated solenoid circuit.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an umbilical connector lock-release mechanism of the character described wherein both the primary tang-lock and the pilot release unit are guarded against accidental movement induced by vibration or shock by means of a 3,335,391 Patented Aug. 8, 1967 plurality of springs having different resonant frequencies.

According to the present invention the umbilical plug and receptacle connector members are releasably locked together by means of a primary tang-lock having means associated therewith for drawing the plug and receptacle members into tight interengagement. The primary tanglock is releasable by movement of a lock shaft that is axially slideable within the primary tang and which is biased to its lock position by multiple spring means with diiferent resonant frequencies to guard against accidental release from vibration and shock. A pilot release mechanism is associated with the lock shaft and contains stored spring energy which, when released, drives the lock shaft to the release position permitting separation of the plug and receptacle members. This pilot release mechanism, like the lock shaft, is effectively secured against vibration and shock by non-coincidentally resonant, multiple spring means. The pilot release mechanism is actuated by solenoid means, and release of the stored spring energy of the pilot release mechanism is accomplished by introducing an electrical impulse to the solenoid means that causes movement of a comparatively light triggering armature which forms part of the pilot release mechanism. The only structure which is subject to motion induced by vibration, shock, or the designed electro-magnetic attraction is the relatively light triggering armature, and this is provided with space in which it can move as a result of vibration or shock without triggering the pilot release mechanism, and is also provided with multiple spring means which guards against indavertent triggering.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will appear during the course of the following part of this specification wherein the details of construction and mode of operation of a preferred embodiment are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, illustrating an umbilical connector plug member embodying lock mechanism according to the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1, wherein the plug connector member is operatively interengaged with a mating receptacle connector member.

FIGURES 3 and 31: together comprise an enlarged, axial section, with portions in elevation, of the lock mechanism of the present invention, with the primary tang fully extended prior to engagement thereof in the catch of the mating receptacle member.

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURES 3 and 3a but on a smaller scale, illustrating the parts of the lock mechanism in the same relative positions as in FIGURE 3, and also illustrating additional housing and insulator structure of the plug connector member.

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4, but with the primary tang and lock shaft moved slightly rearwardly to make room for forward shifting of the lock shaft upon engagement of the primary tang with the member to the extent that the lock shaft has moved to its forward-most or full locking position relative to the primary tang and the solenoid armature-anvil spacing has become set.

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 7, but with the primary tang moved rearwardly in the plug connector member to draw the plug and receptacle members tight-1y together into their fully interengaged relationship, and with the lock mechanism fully set for the release operation.

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to FIGURE 8, but illustrating the lock mechanism and associated portions of the plug connector member only, with the lock mechanism in its released position.

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary axial section, partly in elevation, illustrating the primary tang, lock shaft and tang sleeve in their disengaged condition as also shown in FIGURES l, 3, 4, and 9.

FIGURE 11 is a view similar to FIGURE 10, but illustrating the primary tang engaged in the receptacle catch, as also shown in FIGURES 2 and 8.

FIGURE 12 is a cross-sectional view along the line 1212 in FIGURE 11.

Referring to the drawings, and at first particularly to FIGURES 1 and 2, the lock mechanism of the present invention is principally contained in the plug member of an umbilical electrical connector, which mates with a receptacle member 12.

The plug 10 contains a plurality of pin contacts 14 supported in plug insulation body 16 which is mounted in plug shell 18. The receptacle includes a plurality of socket contacts 20 supported in receptacle insulation body 22 so as to be in axial alignment and mateable with the pin contacts 14. The receptacle insulation body 22 is mounted in receptacle shell 24. Mating of pin contacts 14 with socket contacts 20 completes a plurality of independent electrical circuits. It is to be understood that if desired the pin contacts may be provided in the receptacle member and the socket contacts in the plug member, or other types of contacts may be employed.

Engagement of the plug member 10 with the receptacle member 12 is accomplished by a lock-release mechanism broadly designated 26 which extends axially through the plug shell 18 and insulation body 16 and releasably engages a catch or lock ring 28 in the receptacle member. The catch 28 is in axial alignment with the lock-release mechanism 26 and is centrally supported in receptacle insulation body 22. The present invention is embodied in the lock-release mechanism 26, and will be described in detail after a further brief description of the environmental structure.

A cable entrance housing 30 is fastened by screws 32 to the plug shell 18 at an angle oblique to the axis thereof, and provides means for connection with a cable having conductor wires 34 which enter shell 18. Most of the wires 34 are connected with the pin contacts 14, but one or more may be employed for actuating the solenoid trigger for the lock mechanism.

The plug insulation body 16 comprises a fixed rear insulation block 36 within which the pin contacts 14 are mounted, and an axially movable front insulation block 38 having bores through which the forward contacting portions of the pin contacts extend. The rear insulation block 36 is mounted on a plurality of cup-shaped support members 40 and secured thereon by respective threaded collars 42. A screw 44 fastens each of the support members 40 to plug shell 18.

The movable front insulation block 38 is supported by a plurality of support sleeves 45 which are slidable on the respective screws 44. The front insulation block 38 is biased toward a forwardmost position, forwardly separated from the rear insulation block, by means of a spring 46 disposed between each support member 40 and the respective support sleeve 45, the forwardmost position of front block 38 being determined by the heads of screws 44.

The receptacle insulation body 22 includes a rear insulation block 48 and a front insulation block 50, a front face portion 52 of block 50 projecting through an opening in a support panel 54 which may comprise the skin of an aircraft or missile or the like. Receptacle shell 24 is secured to support panel 54 by means of rivets 56 or other suitable fasteners, and receptacle insulation blocks 48 and 50 are secured in receptacle shell 24 by means of bolts 58 or other suitable fasteners. It is to be noted that the catch 28 is disposed in front insulation block 50.

Suitable polarizing means (not shown) is disposed on the connector members to insure proper orientation thereof when they are interengaged. A resilient sealing sleeve 59 is mounted on plug shell 18 and is engageable between the plug shell and the support panel 54 to provide a moisture seal therebetween.

The plug shell 18 includes a cylindrical internal portion 60 extending inwardly from the rear end of the shell, and this internal portion 60 has a cupped liner 62 therein. A sleeve 64 extends from the base of liner 62 to the rear plug insulation block 36. The lock-release mechanism 26 of the present invention is supported at the rear end of plug shell 18 by a plurality of screws 65 or other suitable fasteners, and extends into the internal shell portion 60 and through liner 62, sleeve 64 and central openings in the plug insulation blocks 36 and 38, with the front end of lock-release mechanism 26 projecting forwardly of insulation block 38 so as to be releasably engageable in the receptacle catch 28.

Referring now particularly to FIGURES 3, 3a and 4, lock-release mechanism 26 includes a generally cylindrical housing 66 having a forward mounting flange 68 for attachment to the rear end of plug shell 18 by screws 65. Housing 66 has an in-turned rear flange 70.

Rotatably mounted in the housing flange 70 is a tubular adapter 72 which extends rearwardly from housing 66. Adapter 72 has a handwheel 74 secured thereon by a set screw 76. The adapter 72 and handwheel 74 are prevented from axially moving relative to housing 66 in one direction by a washer 78 between the handwheel and housing flange 70, and in the other direction by a lip 80 at the forward end of adapter 72. An O-ring seal 82 is provided between adapter 72 and housing flange 70.

Fixedly mounted on the rear end of adapter 72, as by threaded engagement, is a spring retaining sleeve 84 having an inwardly flanged rear end 86 for retaining a spring 88.

Mounted within the internal portion 60 of the plug shell and partly within the housing 66 is solenoid 90 which is adapted to trigger the release of the lock mechanism 26. The solenoid includes a housing 92 having a reduced diameter rearward extension 94 that is externally threaded, with radially extending guide pins 96 riding in longitudinal grooves 98 within the housing 66. By means of pins 96 the entire solenoid housing including the extension 94 is secured against rotation but is permitted to move axially Within the main housing 66 of the lock-release mechanism. The external threads on solenoid housing extension 94 are engaged by internal threads on the rotatable tubular adapter 72, whereby the solenoid housing may be drawn rearwardly or pushed forwardly by rotation of the handwheel 74.

Solenoid 90 includes a winding 100 having suitable electrical connections (not shown) for receiving an electrical actuating impulse.

The solenoid housing 92 has an in-turned flange 102 at its front end within which solenoid anvil 104 is secured, the anvil having a tubular frusto-conical nose extending into the cavity within solenoid winding 100. A guide sleeve 106 is supported within the other end of winding 100 for slidable mounting of a light-weight solenoid armature 108 having a rearward configuration complementary to that of anvil 104.

The anvil 104 has a tubular forward extension 110 upon which primary tang tube 112 is threadedly mounted.

The primary tang tube has forwardly extending spring fingers or tangs 114 with enlarged ends 116 which have rearwardly facing inner and outer shoulders '118 and 120, respectively. The receptacle catch or lock ring 28 has a forward annular constriction 122, with an annular recess 124 behind this constriction. The enlarged ends 116 of the tang fingers are adapted to be pushed through the constriction 122 of the catch and into the annular recess 124,

where they are spread outwardly and releasably locked behind the constriction 122 by means of the lock shaft hereinafter described in detail.

Longitudinally slidably mounted over the forward portion of the primary tang tube 112 is tang sleeve 126 which is permitted limited axial movement by a ball detent 128 that is disposed in a hole in the tang tube and rides in a longitudinal internal groove 130- in the sleeve 126. Tang sleeve 126 is biased toward its forwardmost position, which is its position in FIGURES 3a and 4, by a spring 132 which engages the rear end of sleeve 126 and a forwardly facing shoulder 134 on the primary tang. In this forwardmost position of tang sleeve 126 it is engaged over the enlarged forward ends of the tang fingers so that the fingers are constricted and prepared for engagement within the receptacle catch 28. When sleeve 126 is shifted rearwardly, as by engagement against the forward edge of receptacle catch 28, the enlarged ends 116 of the spring fingers are released so that they can spread outwardly in the catch.

The lock shaft assembly is broadly designated by the reference numeral 136, and includes lock shaft 138 which extends through primary tang tube 112 and through the solenoid 90 and tubular adapter 72. The lock shaft assembly further includes lock shaft extension 140 which is fixedly secured to and extends rearwardly from the rear end of lock shaft 138, and a clevis assembly 142 secured to the rear end of the lock shaft extension. Lock shaft 138 has a reduced diameter forward locking portion 144 which engages against the inner shoulders 118 of the tang fingers when the tang sleeve 126 is in its forward position as shown in FIGURES 3a and 4, and which is adapted to slide between the enlarged ends of the tang fingers when the tang fingers are freed from restraint by the sleeve 126 upon insertion of the tang fingers into the receptacle catch as shown in FIGURES 2, 6, 7, 8, l1 and 12. When the reduced forward portion 144 of the lock shaft is thus disposed between the enlarged forward ends of the tang fingers it positively locks the enlarged finger ends in the receptacle catch 28.

The lock shaft 138 also includes an annular collar 146 which is adapted to engage against a rearwardly facing shoulder 148 within the tang tube 112 to define the forwardmost position of the lock shaft within the primary tang.

Lock shaft 138 is forwardly biased by a pair of springs 150 and 152 having different resonant frequencies, these springs bearing against the lock shaft collar 146 at one end and against anvil '104 at their other ends.

A collar 154 is rotatably mounted on lock shaft extension 140 and is sealed with respect thereto by means of O-ring seal 156. The entire rear end of the lock-release mechanism 26 is sealed by means of bellows seal 158 which is secured at its forward end to the handwheel 74 and at its rearward end to the collar 154.

The pilot release mechanism is broadly designated by the reference numeral 160. This mechanism is shown in its cocked position in FIGURES 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, and is shown uncooked in FIGURE 9. When cocked, the moving parts of pilot release mechanism 160 are locked together to form a single unit in which the energy required to unlock the primary tang lock is contained until released by energization of the solenoid 90.

The pilot release mechanism includes a release tube 162 which is disposed within tubular adapter 72 and its attached spring retaining sleeve 84, and extends within the solenoid housing extension 94. Release tube 162 has a constricted forward end 164, and at the rear is provided with .an end ring 166 which may be threadedly secured within the rear end of tube 162. End ring 166 has an outwardly directed flange 168 which is engageable against the inwardly flanged rear end 86 of spring retaining sleeve 84 to limit forward travel of release tube 162. The lock shaft extension extends through end ring 166 in slidable relationship therewith. Release tube 162 has an external flange intermediate its ends against which the forward end of spring 88 abuts, spring 88 biasing re lease tube 162 forwardly toward its forwardmost positions shown in FIGURES 3, 4, 5 and 6. Release tube 162 will remain in this forwardmost position until engaged and moved rearwardly by the solenoid housing extension 94 when the latter is drawn rearwardly by rotation of handwheel 74.

Disposed within release tube 162 and immediately surrounding the rearward end portion of lock shaft 138 is a tang tube 172 having forward tangs or fingers 174 that are spaced slightly outwardly from shaft 138. The tangs 174 have enlarged forward ends 176 which, in the cocked condition of the pilot release mechanism, are locked against the constricted forward end 164 of the release tube. Tang tube 172 has a radially outwardly directed flange 178 at its rearward end. Disposed radially between release tube 162 and tang tube 172, and longitudinally between the constricted forward end 174 of the release tube and the rearward flange 178 of the tang tube are Belleville spring washers 180 which are tightly compressed in the cocked condition of the pilot release mechanism wherein the enlarged ends 176 of the tangs 174 are lodged in front of the consticted forward end of the release tube, but which drive the tang tube 172 rearwardly within the release tube 162 when the ends of the.

tangs 174 are released.

The enlarged ends 176 of tangs 174 are held in their spread or locked positions as shown in FIGURES 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 by means of a release sleeve 182 which is slidably engaged about lock shaft 138 immediately forward of the tang tube 172. Release sleeve 182 has a rearwardly projecting lip 184 which, in the cocked condition of the pilot release mechanism, extends under the enlarged ends 176 of tangs 174 to prevent rearward movement of tang tube 172 relative to release tube 162. The release sleeve 182 is rearwardly biased in this cocked position by means of a spring 186 Which acts between a forwardly facing shoulder of release sleeve 182 and the rearward end of solenoid anvil 104.

A further spring 188 considerably weaker than spring 186, is engaged between a rearwardly facing shoulder on release sleeve 182 and a forwardly facing shoulder on the solenoid armature 108 for biasing the armature 108 rearwardly with respect to the release sleeve. The release sleeve 182 and solenoid armature 108 have normally spaced, opposing shoulders 190 and 192, respectively, and when the solenoid armature 108 is driven forwardly by magnetic action upon electrical energization of solenoid 90, against the biasing force of spring 188, the slack between shoulders 190 and 192 is taken up and impact of armature 108 against release sleeve 182 as the shoulders engage, plus further forward magnetic pull on armature 108, will drive release sleeve 182 forwardly against the biasing force of spring 186 so as to slide the lip 184 of the release sleeve forwardly out from under the enlarged tang ends 176, whereby the tangs 174 are permitted to flex inwardly so that the Belleville spring washers 180 can drive tang tube 172 rearwardly against lock shaft extension 140 to drive the lock shaft 138 rearwardly.

A full cycle of operation of the present invention will now be described.

FIGURE 9 illustrates the lock-release mechanism in its uncooked condition immediately after separation of the plug and receptacle connector members, and while the solenoid is still electrically energized. Thus, solenoid armature 108 has been moved forwardly against the force of springs 188 and 186 and rests against solenoid anvil 104. Release sleeve 182 has been moved forwardly by armature 108 so as to release tangs 174, and the spring washers 180 have driven tang tube 172 and lock shaft 138 rearwardly, lock shaft 138 becoming latched behind the inner shoulders 118 of the primary tang, the primary tang fingers being constricted by tang sleeve 126.

In order to cock the pilot release mechanism 160 which is shown uncooked in FIGURE 9, the handwheel 74 is rotated anti-clockwise as viewed from the rear, which screws the solenoid housing extension 94 forwardly in the lock-release mechanism, housing 66 thus moving solenoid 90 and primary tang 112 forwardly, while at the same time the lock shaft springs 150 and 152 will move the lock shaft 138 forwardly, and spring 88 will move release tube 162 forwardly. The forward movement of the lock shaft will move the pilot tang tube 172 forwardly because of the abutment of the lock shaft extension 140 against tang tube 172. Since the solenoid is no longer energized, the armature 108 is released from anvil 104, and spring 18-6 shifts release sleeve 182 rearwardly relative to the aforesaid forwardly moving structure until its rearwardly projecting lip 184 engages against the front ends of the tangs 174 of tang tube 172, which are at this time constricted within the forward end 164 of release tube 162.

As the principal parts of the lock mechanism are thus being moved forwardly by rotation of handwheel 74, the flange 168 on end ring 166 of release tube 162 will bottom against the spring retaining sleeve 84 and thus further forward movement of release tube 162 is prevented. However, continued rotation of handwheel 74 will continue to move the solenoid, primary tang and lock shaft forwardly, and the abutment between lock shaft extension 140 and tang tube 172 will cause forward movement of tang tube 172 within release tube 162, whereby the spring washers 180 will be compressed. When the tang tube 172 has moved forwardly sufficiently within release tube 162 so that the enlarged tang ends 176 clear the constricted forward end 164 of the release tube, the tangs 174 are free to spring outwardly, or be cammed outwardly, and spring 186 will drive the release sleeve 182 rearwardly relative to the tang tube 172 so that the rearwardly projecting lip 184 of the release sleeve will slide under the tang ends 176 to complete the cocking of the pilot release mechanism by locking the release tube 162 and tang tube 172 together with the spring washers 180 tightly compressed.

At this time the parts of the lock release mechanism will be in the relative positions shown in FIGURES 3, 3a and 4. 'It is to be noted that the collar 154 on lock shaft extension 140 has moved forwardly to a position closely adjacent to the flange 168 on release tube end ring 166. In addition to cooking the pilot release mechanism 160, the forward movement of the parts caused by thus rotating handwheel 74 has resulted in projection of the primary tang forwardly of the front plug insulation block 38 as shown in FIGURE 1, preparatory to engagement with the receptacle member.

To complete preparation of the lock-release mechanism for engagement thereof with the catch in the receptacle, the handwheel 7 4 is rotated clockwise, looking from the rear, approximately four revolutions, which shifts the structure from the position shown in FIGURE 4 to that shown in FIGURE 5. What occurs is that the solenoid housing extension 94, the solenoid housing 92 and the primary tang 112 are shifted slightly rearwardly, and at the same time the lock shaft 138 is moved to the rear because its forward end is trapped by the compressed ends 116 of the primary tang. However, the release tube 162, and hence the pilot release mechanism 160, are held stationary by spring 88, so that the lock shaft will shift rearwardly through the pilot release mechanism, and the collar 154 on the lock shaft extension 140 will become spaced rearwardly from the flange 168 on the release tube end ring 166. The lock-release mechanism is now fully prepared for engagement thereof with the catch 28 in the receptacle connector member.

FIGURE 6 illustrates engagement of the plug with the receptacle. The plug is positioned relative to the receptacle so that primary tang 112 is axially aligned with receptacle catch 28 and the plug is then pressed forwardly. The tang sleeve 126, which holds the forward ends of the tang fingers compressed, encounters the face of receptacle catch 28 and remains stationary thereagainst as the primary tang is moved forwardly. This relative motion causes the enlarged tang ends 116 to clear the tang sleeve 126 and enter the receptacle catch 28. The enlarged tang ends 116 pass through the forward constriction 122 of the catch and expand into the annular recess 124. The lock shaft 138 is then free to move forwardly under the influence of its springs and 152 from its position of FIGURE 5 to its position of FIGURE 6. The lock shaft moves forwardly sufficiently so that the forward locking portion 144 of the lock shaft enters the bearing surface area between the enlarged tang finger ends 116, whereby the tang is prevented from collapsing and the plug is securely locked to the receptacle. Forward travel of the lock shaft 138 is limited at this time by engagement of the lock shaft extension 140 against the rear end of pilot tang tube 172.

Between FIGURES 6 and 7 the handwheel 74 has been further rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed from the rear, thus shifting the solenoid housing and primary tang rearwardly relative to the lock-release mechanism housing 66, adapter 72 and release tube 162, the latter being held fixed by spring 88. Since the front end of lock shaft 138 is no longer gripped by shoulders 118 of the primary tang fingers, the lock shaft 138 will remain stationary while the primary tang shifts rearwardly with respect thereto, having the effect of projecting the forward locking portion 144 of the lock shaft relatively forwardly with respect to the primary tang and hence into positive locking engagement within the enlarged tang ends 116 as shown in FIGURE 7.

As rearward movement of the primary tang thus progresses, its rearwardly facing shoulder 148 will engage collar 146 on the lock shaft to pick up the lock shaft and move it rearwardly with the primary tang. This relative movement between the primary tang and the lock shaft is indicated by reference to gap D in FIGURE 6 between shoulder 148 and collar 146, this gap being closed between FIGURES 6 and 7.

Gap A between the rear end of solenoid housing extension '94 and the flange on release tube 162 is closing at the same time gap D is closing, and just after gap D closes gap A will also close. Since gap D between the primary tang and the lock shaft closes before gap A closes, small gaps E and P will open up between pilot tang tube 172 and lock shaft extension 140 on the one hand, and release tube end ring 166 and collar 154 on the other hand. Closing of gap A means that further clockwise rotation of handwheel 74 looking from the rear will cause release tube 162 to move rearwardly with the solenoid housing and primary tang, whereby gap C between the solenoid armature and anvil becomes fixed for solenoid operation requirements.

The clockwise rotation of the handwheel between FIG- URE 6 and FIGURE 7 has, by moving the primary tang rearwardly in the plug shell, drawn the plug and receptacle connector member closer together.

Between FIGURE 7 and FIGURE 8 the handwheel has been further rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed from the rear, causing the entire lock-release mechanism 26 to move rearwardly as a unit, with the exception of housing 66, handwheel 74, adapter 72 and spring retaining sleeve 84, and during this movement the spring 88 becomes relatively tightly compressed. At the time the front insulation block 50 of the receptacle has been drawn into 9 engagement against the front insulation block 38 of the plug, and block 38 has been moved rearwardly against the force of springs 46, the pin contacts 14 being engaged in the respective socket contacts 20. The handwheel is thus rotated until the plug and receptacle members have become fully engaged as shown in FIGURES 2 and 8.

At this time further motion of the lock-release mechanism would still be possible, as indicated by the presence of gap B between the front end of adapter 72 and the rearwardly facing shoulder 194 on the solenoid housing extension. However, subsequent torque applied to the handwheel Will thereafter merely cause tensile stresses in lock components which are opposed by compressive loads in plug and receptacle components.

In the fully locked condition of the parts as illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 8, the lock shaft 138 is held in position by the biasing forces of the two lock shaft springs 150 and 152 which have different resonant frequencies, so that even if one of these two springs is rendered ineffective by vibrations at its resonant frequency, the other will remain effective to hold the lock shaft forward in its locking position.

The mass of the pilot release mechanism 160 is prevented from acting upon the lock shaft during vibration or shock since the entire pilot release unit is secured by the tightly compressed spring 88 against the now fixed solenoid housing extension 94. Even if the relatively heavy and tightly compressed spring 88 were endered ineffective by a critical resonant frequency, the resonating frequency of the spring 88 is different from the resonant frequencies of both of the lock shaft springs 150 and 152, so that the lock shaft springs would both still be effective, and the combined force of both lock shaft springs would be suflicient to prevent any displacement of the mass of the lock shaft plus that of the pilot release mechanism.

The solenoid armature 108 may be considered as a part of the pilot release mechanism 160 insofar as rearward movement thereof from vibration or shock is concerned, armature 108 being effectively restrained against rearward movement by abutment against release tube 162, which in turn is restrained by the strong, tightly compressed spring 88, and would, if necessary, be further restrained by the two lock shaft springs 150 and 152. The armature spring 188 will take up most vibration or shock impulses tending to move the armature forwardly, since the armature is permitted to move forwardly a distance corresponding to gap G of FIGURE 8, which is the normal distance between the opposing shoulders 190 and 192 on release sleeve 182 and armature 108, respectively. Even if the vibration or shock were so great as to move the relatively light-weight armature 108 forward a sulficient distance to close gap G, which is not likely, further forward movement would be effectively halted by the strong opposition of spring 186 which holds the release sleeve 182 in its locked position. The spring 186 is much stronger than the spring 188, and springs 186 and 188 have different resonant frequencies.

However, when the solenoid is energized, the magnetic attraction urging the armature forwardly is sufiicient in gap C to overcome the force of the relatively small armature spring 188. Since the strength of the magnetic attraction is inversely proportional to the square of the distance, the considerably stronger second spring 186 does not interfere with continued closing of gap C once gap G has been closed and the armature has engaged the release sleeve 182. Thus, the magnetic attraction of the energized solenoid will readily overcome the successive and combined forces of springs 188 and 186 to permit forward shifting of release sleeve 182, although accidental forward shifting of this sleeve from vibration or shock is highly unlikely.

FIGURE 9 shows the lock-release mechanism 26 in its fully released condition. Release is accomplished by energizing the solenoid 90 when the structure is in the condition shown in FIGURE 8, whereby solenoid armature 108 is moved forwardly against the biasing force of its spring 188, the armature picking up, the release sleeve 182 and moving it forwardly. The armature will continue to move forwardly, carrying the release sleeve 182, until the armature strikes the solenoid anvil 104, at which time the release sleeve 182 will have been shifted forward sufliciently to withdraw its lip 184 out from under the pilot tang ends 176, whereby the pilot tang tube 172 is released relative to release tube 162, and the spring washers 180 will drive tang tube 172 rearwardly. Because of the engagement between the rear end of tang tube 172 and the forward end of lock shaft extension 140 the tang tube 172 will drive lock shaft 138 rearwardly so that its forward locking portion 144 will clear the primary tang finger ends 116. The primary tang fingers are then free to deflect radially inwardly, allowing the entire plug to be ejected from the receptacle by the plug springs 46 which had become tightly compressed during the final rotation of the handwheel between FIGURES 7 and 8. As soon as the primary tangs clear the receptacle catch 28 as the plug is being ejected from the receptacle, the tang sleeve 126 will shift forwardly over the enlarged ends 116 of the primary tang fingers to hold the fingers collapsed. Rotation of the handwheel in an anti-clockwise direction looking from the rear will again shift the lockrelease mechanism to the condition shown in FIGURES 3 and 4.

While the instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is therefore not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims.

What I claim is:

1. An electrical connector which comprises a pair of interengageable connector members each having a contact, the contacts being mateable upon interengagement of the members to complete an electrical circuit through the connector, and primary locking means releasably locking the members together comprising a catch in one member and lock mechanism in the other member releasably engageable with said catch, said lock mechanism including lock structure movable from a locking position to a release position and a plurality of spring members having different resonant frequencies in said lock mechanism biasing said lock structure toward its locking position, and pilot release mechanism in said other member comprising normally stressed, resilient energy storage means, pilot locking means releasably locking said energy storage means in its stressed condition, and shoulder means engageable with said lock structure and movable by said energy storage means upon the release of said pilot locking means to drive the lock structure from its locking position to its release position.

2. An electrical connector as defined in claim 1 which includes a further spring member biasing said shoulder means in a direction opposed to its direction of move ment for releasing the lock structure, said further spring member having a different resonant frequency than said plurality of spring members.

3. An electrical connector which comprises a pair of interengageable connector members each having a contact, the contacts being mateable upon interengagement of the members to complete an electrical circuit through the connector, and primary locking means releasably locking the members together comprising a catch in one member and lock mechanism in the other member releasably engageable with said catch, said lock mechanism including a tang tube having a plurality of spring fingers that are expandable into locking engagement with said catch and contractible for removal from said catch, lock shaft structure axially slidable in said tang tube between a locking position holding the fingers expanded and a release position permitting the fingers to contract, and pilot release mechanism in said other member comprising normally stressed, resilient energy storage means, pilot locking means releasably locking said energy storage means in its stressed condition, and shoulder means engageable with said lock shaft structure and movable by said energy storage means upon the release of said pilot locking means to drive the lock shaft structure from its locking position to its release position.

4. An electrical connector as defined in claim 3 which includes a plurality of spring members having different resonant frequencies in said lock mechanism biasing said lock shaft structure toward its locking position.

5. An electrical connector as defined in claim 3 wherein said pilot locking means comprises a pair of telescopic-ally arranged tubular members through which said lock shaft structure longitudinally extends, said energy storage means comprising compression spring means disposed between said tubular members so as to bias them longitudinally with respect to each other, said tubular members being releasably engageable with each other for releasably holding said energy storage means in its stressed condition, said shoulder means being associated with one of said tubular members for movement therewith by said energy storage means upon release of said tubular members.

6. An "electrical connector as defined in claim 5 wherein one of said two tubular members comprises a pilot tang tube having a plurality of spring fingers that are releasably engageable with the other tubular member.

7. An electrical connector as defined in claim 6 which further includes a release sleeve longitudinally slidable over said lock shaft structure between a locking position in which it holds said pilot tang fingers in engagement with said other tubular member and a release position in which it releases said pilot tang fingers.

8. An electrical connector as defined in claim 7, wherein said pilot release mechanism includes a normally unenergized solenoid having an armature engageable with said release sleeve upon energization of the solenoid to move said release sleeve from its locking position to its release position.

9. An electrical connector which comprises a pair of interengageable connector members each having a contact, the contacts being mateable upon interenga-gement of the members to complete an electrical circuit through the connector, and primary locking means releasably looking the members together comprising a catch in one member and lock mechanism in the other member releasably engageable with said catch, said lock mechanism including a primary tang tube having a plurality of spring fingers that are expandable into locking engagement with said catch and contractible for removal from said catch, lock shaft structure axially slidable in said primary tang tube between a locking position holding the fingers expanded and a release position permitting the fingers to contract, and pilot release mechanism in said other member comprising a pilot tang tube and a release tube which are telescopically arranged and through which said lock shaft structure longitudinally extends, spring energy storage means disposed between said pilot tang tube and said release tube so as to bias them longitudinally with respect to each other, said pilot tang tube having a plurality of spring fingers releasably engaged with said release tube for releasably holding said energy storage means in a stressed condition, one of said pilot tang and release tubes having shoulder means engageable with said lock shaft structure to drive said lock shaft structure from its locking position to its release position upon release of said pilot tang spring fingers from said release tube. 3

10. An electrical connector according to claim 9, wherein said release tube is radially outwardly disposed relative to said pilot tang tube.

11. An electrical connector according to claim 10, wherein said shoulder means is on said tang tube.

12. An electrical connector according to claim 10, wherein said release tube and pilot tang tube have respective inwardly and outwardly directed fianges thereon, and said energy storage mean-s comprises a plurality of frusto-conical spring washers radially disposed between said pilot tang and release tubes and longitudinally compressed between said flanges.

13. An electrical connector according to claim 9, which includes a plurality of spring members having different resonant frequencies in said lock mechanism biasing said lock shaft structure toward its locking position.

14. An electrical connector according to claim 9, which includes a first spring member in said lock mechanism biasing said lock shaft structure toward its locking position, and a second spring member biasing one of said pilot tang and release tubes in the same direction that said first spring biases the lock shaft structure, said first and second spring members having different resonant frequencies.

15. An electrical connector according to claim 14, which includes a plurality of said first spring members having different resonant frequencies.

16. An electrical connector which comprises a pair of interengageable connector members each having a contact, the contacts being mateable upon interengagement of the members to complete an electrical circuit through the connector, and primary locking means releasably locking the members together comprising a catch in one member and lock mechanism in the other member releasably engageable with said catch, said lock mechanism including a primary tang tube having a plurality of spring fingers that are expandable into locking engagement with said catch and contractible for removal from said catch, lock shaft structure axially slidable in said primary tang tube between a locking position holding the fingers expanded and a release position permitting the fingers to contract, and pilot release mechanism in said other member comprising a pilot tang tube and a release tube which are telescopically arranged and through which said lock shaft structure longitudinally extends, spring energy storage means disposed between said pilot tang tube and said release tube so as to bias them longitudinally with respect to each other, said pilot tang tube having a plurality of spring fingers releasably engaged with said release tube for releasably holding said energy storage means in a stressed condition, one of said pilot tang and release tubes having shoulder means engageable with said lock shaft structure to drive said lock shaft structure from its locking position to its release position upon release of said pilot tan-g spring fingers from said release tube, a release sleeve longitudinally slidable over said lock shaft structure between a locking position in which it holds said pilot tang fingers in engagement with said release position in which .it releases said pilot tang fingers, a normally unenergized solenoid having an armature engageable with said release sleeve upon energization of the solenoid to move said release sleeve from its locking position to its release position, first spring means comprising a plurality of spring members having different resonant frequencies biasing said lock shaft structure toward its locking position, and second spring means biasing said release sleeve toward its locking position.

17. An electrical connector as defined in claim 16 which includes third spring means having a different resonant frequency than said first spring means, said third spring means biasing one of said pilot tang and release tubes in the same direction that said first spring mean-s biases the lock shaft structure.

18. An electrical connector as defined in claim 17 wherein said solenoid armature and release sleeve have opposed, normally spaced abutment surfaces thereon, and fourth spring means that is weaker than said second spring means and is engaged between said release sleeve and aid $Q 1Qi 1 armature to normally position said ar References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,710,384 6/1955 Dupre et a1. 339-45 3,043,925 7/1962 Wilson 33945 3,156,513 11/1964 Peters-on et a1. 339-45 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner.

PATRICK A. CLIFFORD, EDWARD C. ALLEN,

Examiners. 

1. AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WHICH COMPRISES A PAIR OF INTERENGAGEABLE CONNECTOR MEMBERS EACH HAVING A CONTACT, THE CONTACTS BEING MATEABLE UPON INTERENGAGEABLE OF THE MEMBERS TO COMPLETE AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT THROUGH THE CONNECTOR, AND PRIMARY LOCKING MEANS RELEASABLY LOCKING THE MEMBERS TOGETHER COMPRISING A CATCH IN ONE MEMBER AND LOCK MECHANISM IN THE OTHER MEMBER RELEASABLY ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID CATCH, SAID LOCK MECHANISM INCLUDING LOCK STRUCTURE MOVABLE FROM A LOCKING POSITION TO A RELEASE POSITION AND A PLURALITY OF SPRING MEMBERS HAVING DIFFERENT RESONANT FREQUENCIES IN SAID LOCK MECHANISM BIASING SAID LOCK STRUCTURE TOWARD ITS LOCKING POSITION, AND PILOT RELEASE MECHANISM IN SAID OTHER MEMBER COMPRISING NORMALLY STRESSED, RESILIENT ENERGY STORAGE MEANS, PILOT LOCKING MEANS RELEASABLY LOCKING SAID ENERGY STORAGE MEANS IN ITS STRESSED CONDITION, AND SHOULDER MEANS ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID LOCK STRUCTURE AND MOVABLE BY SAID ENERGY STORAGE MEANS UPON THE RELEASE OF SAID PILOT LOCKING MEANS TO DRIVE THE LOCK STRUCTURE FROM ITS LOCKING POSITION TO ITS RELEASE POSITION. 